Introducing Android

Get familiar with all the things Android™ brings to your Xperia™ smartphone or tablet. Start by setting up a Google™ account and exploring Google Play™ where you can download the apps and games of your choice. And, best of all, customise your Android device to make it more you.

What is Android?

Android is the mobile operating system developed by Google for a variety of smartphones and tablets. Android comes pre-installed with a range of Google apps on all Xperia devices.

Using apps like Google™ Search, Google Maps™, Gmail™, and YouTube™, you can easily search for information on the web, find directions, write and receive emails, watch videos, and much more on your phone or tablet – just as you would on your computer.

Everything starts with a Google account

To make the most of your Xperia device and its Android system, you will need a Google account, which is free and easy to set up. Create the account and sign in directly from your Xperia device, and then use it to access Google services and apps.

With a Google account you can:

Download and install apps from Google Play.

Use Gmail to synchronise your email, contacts and calendar, and have them backed up automatically.

Synchronise your browsing history and bookmarks using the Google Chrome™ web browser.

Set up a dedicated work profile that never mixes with your personal content.

Remotely find, lock or clear a lost or stolen device using Find My Device.

Security checks on your Xperia device often use your Google account to verify your identity, so keep your Google account username and password safe. If you should fail to verify your identity you may be locked out of your Xperia device.

Customise your Android device

An Android device can be customised in many different ways to suit your needs. You can change everything from icon and keyboard size, to sound alerts, ringtones, and the apps displayed on your home screen. On top of that, you can use wallpapers and themes that will completely change the look and feel of your device, making it just as personal as you want it to be.

You can also download and install widgets that give direct access to certain apps, features or settings. This allows you to create your own shortcuts to easily access the features you use the most.

And it’s easy! Touch and hold anywhere on your home screen to add and change widgets, wallpapers, themes, and home screen settings.

Google Play

Google Play is the online store for Android apps, games, music, movies and books. Some apps are free to download and install, and some you will have to pay for. Other apps might be free to install, but let you make in-app purchases later on. To pay for an app you need to connect a credit or debit card to your Google account, either when setting up your Google account or when you want to download and install a paid app via Google Play.

Install and uninstall apps

To install an app simply tap the Play Store app and start your search. When you find what you are looking for just tap to start the installation. If you no longer want to keep an app or a game that you have installed, you can delete it just as easily. And – if you change your mind, you can re-install it later.

Please note that pre-installed apps normally can’t be uninstalled. However, if your device is running Android version 4.0 or later, you can disable most of the pre-installed apps from Sony and Google. This automatically removes them from the Application screen.

Android updates

The Android software is constantly evolving. When a new software version is available, you can download and install all the new features and the latest improvements on your Xperia device. New versions are free and, since they include performance and security improvements, we recommend that you always keep your device updated with the latest available software. You can find your current Android version through the Settings menu on your device. Remember that you can’t revert to an earlier software version, so make sure to back up your content before you update.

Deliciously good! You might have heard that Android software versions are named after desserts or sweets, like the earlier versions Lollipop, Marshmallow, and Nougat. The latest version is Android 8.0 Oreo.

The availability of software updates depends on your device, country and/or operator. Please note that regardless of Android version, some features and functionality may also differ depending on your device.

Find out more

To find out more about your Xperia device and its operating system, check out your device on the Sony Mobile support site. The on-line User guide is a great place to find hands-on instructions on how to set up and use your Xperia device.

Please note that this article is not product specific. Features and functionalities described may therefore differ depending on your device and/or software version.